Honesty inspires trust - Justice Jagath Balapatabendi

Sandasen Marasinghe

COLOMBO: Supreme Court Justice Jagath Balapatabendi observed that the students of the Royal Institute of Nugegoda were well disciplined and well behaved under the guidance and supervision of its’ Principal B. Suriarachchi.

He made this observation at the Annual Prize Giving of the Royal Institute of Nugegoda and Havelock Town held on June 29 at the Nawarangahala, Royal College, Colombo 7.

He said: “your principal, Suriarachchi is known to me for more than five decades because he has taught me Mathematics and Physics when I was a student at Richmond College, Galle. He is a well experienced, knowledgeable, highly respected teacher and a brilliant educationist”.

Justice Balapatabendi said that he decided to speak on “the concepts contained in some of the human-values which all students should learn, acquire, and contended namely the Honesty, the Humility, the Responsibility, the Simplicity and Happiness.

“Honesty means there are no contradictions or discrepancies in your thoughts, words or actions. To be honest to one’s real self, earn trust and inspire faith in others. Honesty is never to misuse that which is given in trust.

Honesty is to speak that which is thought and to do that which is spoken. There is a saying, “the boat of truth may rock but it will never sink”, he said

“A person who embodies humility will make the effort to listen to, and accept others”, Justice Balapatabendi said.

“The greater the acceptance of others, the more that person will be held in high esteem, and the more that person will be listened to. One word spoken in humility has the significance of a thousand words.

Speaking on responsibility he said “A responsible person fulfils the assigned duty by stating the truth to the aim.

Duties are carried out with integrity and sense of purpose. Personal responsibility in life comes from many expected and unexpected sources and involves partnership and participation, commitment and co-operation.

Social and global responsibilities requires justice, humaneness and respect for rights of all human beings without discrimination.”

Chairman of the Royal Institute G.T. Bandara, Principal Royal Institute Nugegoda B. Suriarachchi and Principal Royal Institute Havelock Town Ms Gunawardene also spoke.